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Re: New to Large Format- what lens to get?

Chris, you might try one of the older inexpensive 90mm f/6.8 lenses like the Angulon or Optar to see if that focal length suits your shooting style. They may do well enough for you at small apertures, and are compact and light weight.. If you like it, then consider one of the newer and better 90s and selling the old one.

Re: New to Large Format- what lens to get?

According to my Schneider catalog they're virtually identical; same IC for both and same shutter size.

The SA weighs 390 gm as compared with the Fujinon's 407 gm. FFL on the SA is 98.8; Fujinon is 99.2.

The rear barrel diameter on the SA is 67mm, on the Fujinon it's 65mm.
This affects shift capability due to interference with the standard bellows.

- Leigh

Thanks again for the info! Would a SA 5.6 (non-XL) be a better option than the SA 8? Does the 5.6 make it a lot easier to focus on the ground glass, or is there another good reason to prefer one over the other? I think it weighs 570g, which is a bit more, but might not be so bad (I'm young! I can carry whatever I want!).

Re: New to Large Format- what lens to get?

Might be worth looking for an older Schneider Symmar, they are convertable, the 150mm f5.6 will become a 265mm f12 with the removal of the rear lenses, the 210mm f5.6 becomes a 370mm f12.

At the cost of a couple of stops and requiring a lot of bellows and rail and with mediocre performance converted. In addition an old convertible lens does not perform nearly as well as a modern non-convertible one.
Its real advantage is that it will be inexpensive. And that may be its only advatage. But if you are going to take the time and devote the additional effort of shooting 45 then why would you want to compromise the results because of the lens?

Re: New to Large Format- what lens to get?

But if you are going to take the time and devote the additional effort of shooting 45 then why would you want to compromise the results because of the lens?

Because the lens you have is better than the lens you don't have. If Dr_Rocks waits a bit, something good will pop up for sale. He already has a good lens and camera, and a Fujinon 135mm recently went for $200 in the For Sale forum. I think there's a 90mm available.